Trend Analysis of Migration Data in Thailand 2019-2023

TREND ANALYSIS OF MIGRATION DATA IN THAILAND 2019-2023 5 BACKGROUND The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes that migration is an important component of global development, impacting the demographic and socioeconomic landscape of nations. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, SDG 10 on reduced inequalities, and SDG 17 on partnerships for the goals, highlight the need for inclusive policies that facilitate safe and orderly migration while promoting economic growth and reducing inequalities. As a champion country for the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM), an initiative grounded in the 2030 Agenda, Thailand has taken steps to address migration governance within this broader development framework. Central to this effort are SDG 17.18 and Objective 1 of the GCM, which both highlight the need for the availability of timely, reliable and disaggregated data as a basis for evidence-based policies. By integrating migration considerations into its National Strategy (2018-2037) and the 13th National Economic and Social Development Plan (NESDP), Thailand aims to align its migration policies with international commitments and enhance development objectives that benefit both migrants and host communities. The role of migration data is crucial in this context. To support its development objectives, Thailand National Statistical Office (NSO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have collaborated to analyse migration trends from 2019 to 2023 using data from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) Migration Module. This collaboration aims to enhance data-driven policymaking and improve Thailand’s capacity to monitor migration patterns effectively. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this report is to present the findings of the first-ever joint analysis conducted by the NSO and IOM on migration trends in Thailand from 2019 to 2023. The report addresses the following objectives: • Assess the evolution over time of the movements and flows of recent internal and international migrants to Thailand as well as the stock of lifetime migrants • Evaluate the changing profile of recent internal migrants, including lifetime migrants • Analyse the changing reasons for migration over time TYPOLOGY OF MIGRATION SECTION 1: OVERVIEW Any person whose area of usual residence at the survey date differs from their area of residence. The term "recent internal migrants" is used throughout this report as it refers to internal migration that has occurred within the past year. Any person who is outside a State of which he or she is a citizen or national, or, in the case of a stateless person, his or her State of birth or habitual residence. The person must have resided in a State other than their State of birth or nationality for at least one year. The term "recent international migrants" is used throughout this report as it refers to non-Thai individuals who have entered Thailand within the past year and are currently residing there (immigrants). RECENT INTERNAL MIGRANTS RECENT INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS LIFETIME MIGRANTS Any person whose area of usual residence at the survey date differs from their area of birth. For this report and in the context of Thailand, hometown is used instead of area of birth. Additionally, lifetime migration applies only to recent internal migrants and does not apply to recent international migrants in this report.